Jack Newton’s Spaulding Experience

Storytelling Series - June 2026

This month’s storytelling series comes from Jackson Newton from the Alpha School

I was recommended to reach out to Spaulding in my hunt to build a sailing workshop for my middle-school students. Spaulding gave me immediate confidence in their ability to deliver a great workshop to my students and were flexible and open-minded as we changed plans, came up with new ideas, and kept our students on their toes. 

The goal was to instill the knowledge necessary to sail a boat without adult support. My favorite memory was our first full session putting this knowledge to the test, where the winds were racing and the boat was keeling. It was clear that Kevin and Matt’s teaching had prepared these children for the challenge, because their confidence didn’t waver for a second. Hearing the students communicate about sail trimming, wind changes, and changing course without a hint of panic was the sign we needed that these kids were learning incredibly quickly.

Our time with Spaulding has taught me how well sailing can instill valuable life lessons in the youngest generation. I am a traveling educator, changing locations and campuses every semester or two. This was the first sailing workshop that I’ve ever produced, and it surely will not be the last. I plan on taking the lessons imparted to me from Spaulding to kids across the country. As the generations become more and more technology-reliant, activities like sailing only become more important to teach our kids how to work together without a screen or keyboard. 

I grew up sailing every summer with my grandparents. They lived in a small boating town in coastal North Carolina, and my parents would drop me off for months at a time. All there was to do out there was sail and eat grandma’s cooking. I lost that grandmother this past year, and this sailing experience rejuvenated my passion for sailing. The childlike joy for the open waters was reawakened when we hit the slot with the crew. That same joy lives in them, and I was so happy to have them draw it back out of me. 

I would encourage anyone with a curiosity for sailing to connect with Spaulding Marine Center. They carry a burning passion for sailing that will easily rub off on you. Their work with my kids cannot be given enough thanks. They were engaging, relatable, and made every session a fun one. I cannot speak to their flexibility enough, as we constantly required change to push our kids to their limits. Life on the water is exciting and fulfilling. I would urge you to give it a shot and let Spaulding show you the ropes.

I had a pleasure collaborating with this group and have nothing but thanks and praise for their work with our kids—and for bringing out the kid in me as well.